Chunky and comforting sheepskin boots. Like outdoor slippers...a hug for your feet.
And, nothing quite beats a down-filled, super-puffy coat on a cold day.
Add a fur trimmed hood and you are laughing!

However, it is all too easy to take it too far and end up dressed like you are nipping out to the bins, or to walk the dog.
There is a very fine line between casual-chic and sloppy-mess.

The only way to wear this combination is to keep the lines of your outfit simple and your bottom half close fitted.
Oh, and don't bother trying to make either of these items look "smarter".
It doesn't work.
Puffy coats worn with shoulder or top-handle bags (this one is a cross-body bag) looks like you grabbed the first thing from the coat rail on your way out of the door.
Ditto for pencil skirts or shift dresses.
If you are wearing a smarter outfit underneath, pick a different coat and boot combination!

I started this whole outfit from the feet up.

These boots are by Duo and are made for skinny legs! Yippee.
Even better, I bought them on Ebay for £4.99).
The company also makes boots for wider calves.
Although they are now called Ted & Muffy (with a chic, website make-over) and I don't know if they are the same any more?
If you have tried them, please let me know in the comments or tweet me @samantha4blair.

These boots are perfect for me. Snug on the leg, cosy, sturdy (for walking) and fluffy!

This combination can easily look boring.
My solution to any styling problem is to throw in some colour to the mix.
Adding a rich and vibrant colour lifts the whole feel of an outfit.
This could have easily looked drab but, with the addition of a colourful roll neck, beret and bag everything is a lot more cheerful.
Adding Pom Poms to my bag was just an extra furry touch!

My (faux) leather leggings came out again (see my previous post about them HERE, also styled casually) mostly because I needed a skinny silhouette and felt jeans were too boring BUT also because they are drizzle proof!

The weather has been appalling here, for over a week, and getting any outdoor photographs is a major challenge.
My 10 year old and 8 year old girls took these photos, in the drizzle, as a team (one holding the brolly, one taking the shots)...well done girls!

24 comments

You are absolutely right---the color combo of this makes it so fresh & fun!! Chartreuse & purple are a fun, fun color combo & this is fabulous!!! jodiewww.jtouchofstyle.comps...Kudos to the kids & their picture taking!!!

Drizzle proof - love it! I've the perfect excuse to wear leather leggings now So true, the weather has been appalling down south too. Tall Brown Fox and I were trying to take snaps today and having to dodge the rain and that's when we weren't being blown about by the wind! The things we bloggers do. However, you've beaten the weather in this outfit! I love the photo of you with the hood up - so snug!Chartreuse and purple look so good on you. And I love how the colour of your bag teams with the jumper.

Thank you! I can imagine your curls going a little wild in the wind and rain.... :oDWe are soggy up here, in Scotland. The ground is sodden and all of the beautiful coloured leaves have blown off the trees. I need to google photography tips for bad weather. I have no "clear" white walls in my busy house! XXX

They do indeed, Samantha. Crazy curls, I call them! You have my sympathies. I'm struggling to find places inside that will be suitable. The lighting just isn't good enough, unless I go out and buy about 6 of those big professional light stands and I think Tall Brown Fox would draw the line at that! If you find any tips, let me know!

This is such a cute and cosy outfit Samantha. I think you've styled it so well with some lovely dashes of colour. Well done to your budding assistants! Oh, and those boots look mega comfy. Raining on the islands too today - seems like there's no escaping it.Anna xxx

Thank you Anna. Sometimes warm and comfortable is my priority...there is never any need to look drab, even in comfortable clothes. I'm am comforted to hear you have rain too, there is more of the stuff today and I need to take photographs. booooo. XXX

My girls would love to take your photographs! hahaha. They take it very seriously and take plenty of shots (unlike Hubby who still takes one or two, he grew up with old fashioned film). This rain is the pits! I can not find anywhere indoors to take photographs. I desperately need bad weather photography tips. X

as a huge fan of comfort (and warm) I say Yes to puffer coats!, and love this one you're styling, it's fabulous plaid! and it looks amazing with those citron and purple details you've added!, such an awesome color combo, love it!!Pretty comfy&cool!besos

I completely agree with you - proportion proportion proportion! You've styled this perfectly - looks very chic Italian on holiday! I always go back to puffer jackets, although slightly resentfully, as at 5'1", I don't need anything to make me look smaller, but they are just so darn warm! Absolutely agree that slim fitting trousers are best, and a colour to distract is always a good plan. Thanks so much for coming over to link up to #AllAboutYou on Mama-andmore.com (do come back on Tuesday!)